US hiker killed by lightning on Etna in restricted zone

An American tourist has died after being struck by lightning on Mount Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano, while hiking in a restricted area closed to visitors due to recent volcanic activity, according to the BBC and the Guardian.

Italian firefighters said the man, aged 29 or 30 in varying reports, was found in serious condition on the volcano's eastern slope on Sunday and later pronounced dead at a hospital in Catania, the New York Times reported.

The incident occurred during a thunderstorm that developed while the hiker was on the mountain, which has been erupting in recent weeks, sending plumes into the sky and disrupting flights at nearby Catania Airport.